Video Card - Blue Screen of Death

[spd60]

Need some help/advice.

Running windows XP with all the updates.
ATI Radeon X700pro video card - pci express
Pentium 4 3ghz

So...had a bad thunder storm, power flickers a few times and suddenly I'm getting a blue screen of death whenever I boot the computer.

I investigated the stop code and it's either a software/hardware problem.

Run all the diagnostic tests that came with the computer and they all come up green.

With a little more work I narrowed the problem down to the video card after checking the minidmp file. Apparently, when the ati driver tries to kick in everything goes to hell.

I've pretty much ruled out the drivers being the cause of the problem. I reinstalled windows and installed the latest catalyst drivers from ati and i still get the BSoD (strangely enough, if I uninstall the drivers and/or boot in safe mode I can get windows running).

So I'm thinking that something in the video card has been fried.

However, before I go out to buy a new card I want to make sure that it's not the PCI-Express port (or anything else) that's been damaged.

Questions:

1) Is there any utility which can confirm that the video card is damaged. Remember that I can't load the ati drivers b/c then the computer won't boot.

2) Short of installing another video card in the pci-express port, is there anyway to confirm that the port hasn't been damaged?

3) Is there anything else I should check?

Any and all advice appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[spd60]

Ok...now I am lost.

I just discovered that if I don't plug my monitor in everything boots up fine.

The instant I plug the monitor in I get the blue screen of death.

Any ideas?

Originally posted by: spd60
Need some help/advice.

Running windows XP with all the updates.
ATI Radeon X700pro video card - pci express
Pentium 4 3ghz

So...had a bad thunder storm, power flickers a few times and suddenly I'm getting a blue screen of death whenever I boot the computer.

I investigated the stop code and it's either a software/hardware problem.

Run all the diagnostic tests that came with the computer and they all come up green.

With a little more work I narrowed the problem down to the video card after checking the minidmp file. Apparently, when the ati driver tries to kick in everything goes to hell.

I've pretty much ruled out the drivers being the cause of the problem. I reinstalled windows and installed the latest catalyst drivers from ati and i still get the BSoD (strangely enough, if I uninstall the drivers and/or boot in safe mode I can get windows running).

So I'm thinking that something in the video card has been fried.

However, before I go out to buy a new card I want to make sure that it's not the PCI-Express port (or anything else) that's been damaged.

Questions:

1) Is there any utility which can confirm that the video card is damaged. Remember that I can't load the ati drivers b/c then the computer won't boot.

2) Short of installing another video card in the pci-express port, is there anyway to confirm that the port hasn't been damaged?

3) Is there anything else I should check?

Any and all advice appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[dclive]

If the ATI drivers cause the issue, replace the drivers or the video card, then tell us what happens.

 

[imported_nocturne]

First of all, you need to find a good old pci video card (like a trident 2mb) for just these types of instances...

Honestly, I can't think of any type of testing software like what you're requesting. I'd imagine the manu's have a specialized testing unit for video cards.

You'd also have to rule out the OS. Try an old HD with w98 (or whatever OS), and see if it boots up fine.

If all else fails, try a reformat. Also, I'd hate to sound superstitious, but it might help to just take apart the computer and put it back together (you can look for burnt components while you're at it).